Shedding Light on Therapeutics in Alopecia and Their Relevance to COVID-19

The document from January 1, 2021, explores the potential for repurposing alopecia treatments for COVID-19, given the overlap in drug use between the two conditions. It discusses the role of androgens in the severity of COVID-19 and the possibility that anti-androgens used for androgenetic alopecia could be effective against the virus. The paper reviews the use of drugs like hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, baricitinib, and methotrexate, noting their varying degrees of potential efficacy and risks in treating COVID-19. It emphasizes the need for patient registries to provide data on the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for both alopecia and COVID-19. The document also highlights recent findings, such as the UK RECOVERY trial's indication that dexamethasone may reduce mortality in severe COVID-19 cases, and the ongoing phase 3 clinical trials of baricitinib. It underscores the importance of further research into the link between androgens, alopecia, and COVID-19, and the need for harmonized data collection to assess treatment impacts.